match report and redimages; goals on redtv
SPFL U20 League | Rangers U20 v Aberdeen U20 | Bet Butler Stadium, Dumbarton | 6pm KO
Rangers U20s 0
Aberdeen U20s 2
Ferries 61, O’Sullivan 86
Aberdeen U20s recorded their first win of the season with an excellent victory over Rangers this evening in Dumbarton. The young Dons have been a bit unlucky so far in the campaign with their results and only a late goal stopped them from beating Celtic. It is also worth remembering Declan McManus, Stephen O’Neill and Scott Rumsby are out on loan, Cammy Smith has been involved with the first team and tonight Craig Murray was unavailable through injury – making the win over Rangers even more impressive.
Neil Cooper’s side did welcome back Nicky Low and Craig Storie, both of whom had very good games. The young Dons lined up with Rogers in goal, Campanile was at right back, McKenna moved to left back with Gibbons moving into the centre half position alongside Rose. The midfield was set up similar to the first team with Jamie Masson sitting in front of the back four. The midfield three were Storie, Low and Ferries with Shankland playing in behind O’Sullivan.
Although the Rangers first team had a game tonight, Gordon Durie still fielded a strong looking side with Kyle McAusland, Kyle Hutton and Fraser Aird all involved.
In bright but cold conditions Aberdeen started well and as early as the second minute Jamie Masson got a shot at goal but he scuffed it well wide. On four minutes the Dons won a free kick in a good area. Nicky Low took it and curled his effort round the wall and it was on target but Kelly made a comfortable save. Then a minute later the same player very nearly embarrassed the keeper. The outstanding midfielder hit a shot from about the half way line. Kelly was nowhere and thankfully for him the ball dropped just wide. A fantastic effort.
On seven minutes Rangers won themselves a free kick in a good area. Aird took it and forced Rogers into a very good save. Diving full length he managed to tip the ball round the post. On 14 minutes Scott Ferries burst forward. He showed good awareness and played the ball wide to Storie but the midfielder, who impressed against Partick on Saturday, failed to catch his shot properly. On 18 minutes Rangers worked the ball to Dykes and from a central position he hammered a shot which Rogers did very well to jump and hold the shot. Danny’s handling all evening was superb.
The Dons then dominated possession for 15 minutes or so. They won a number of corners and their best chance in the half came from one of them. On 26 minutes the ball was cleared but Low picked it up on the edge of the box. He showed fantastic vision to play in Shankland. One on one with the keeper the former Queen’s Park striker, who played against the Rangers first team last season and scored against them, did not catch his shot properly but even then in only went inches past the post.
Rangers then came back into it later in the half. On the half hour they won a very soft looking free kick. The ball was played in and Gaspaotto was unmarked but thankfully for the Dons his failed to make any connection with the ball. Then three minutes later the home side played a neat one two on the edge of the box after a clever dummy. Striker Telfer was in but took a poor first touch and the Dons defence were then able to recover the situation.On 41 minutes Jamie Masson played in a great free kick from the touchline. A Rangers defender just got the faintest of touches otherwise O’Sullivan would have had a tap in. From the resulting corner Masson headed it back across goal and Shankland was unlucky with a hooked effort which again just went past the post. Just before the half time interval the ball broke kindly to Telfer in the box and his snap shot was very well saved by Rogers.
HT
On 51 minutes Rangers had a great chance to take the lead. Aird found himself in behind the defence with just Rogers to beat. He looked up and as he was away to pull the trigger but from nowhere Scott McKenna managed to wrap his leg round the ball and make a goal saving tackle. A crucial moment in the game. McAusland got the game’s first booking before Aberdeen took the lead just after the hour mark.
McKenna swung in a dangerous ball from the left. Rangers failed to clear the danger and Masson on the edge of the box did very well to battle for the ball and win it. The ball broke towards Ferries and he calmly turned and placed the ball into the net. Rangers appealed for offside but the linesman was correct to keep his flag down.
Back came Rangers and on 63 minutes Dykes went close. Again it took a brilliant last ditch tackle from Campanile to put him off. All the Dons players congratulated Marcus for the way read the situation and covered across from his full back area. A minute later Gasparotto headed over from close range. At that point you thought it might be a long last quarter as Rangers threw everyone forward in search of an equaliser. In truth though it was Aberdeen who stepped it up a gear and enjoyed the majority of possession.
Despite Rangers best efforts Aberdeen kept the ball comfortably with Low, Storie and Masson running the show. Any balls the Glasgow side put into the box Rogers dealt with really well. He is turning into a very good goalkeeper.
On 66 minutes Campanile burst forward and made a great run. He got to the by-line and pulled the ball back but agonisingly he failed to pick out a red jersey. On 72 minutes the ball fell to Michael Rose in the box from a corner. The centre half took a good first touch but blazed his shot well over. Aberdeen looked the fitter side and the work rate the players showed in the final stages was tremendous. Every player was encouraging each other as well. On 80 minutes O’Sullivan had a shot from a tight angle but it was straight at Kelly. Then Rogers made another good save from Stoney, again showing good handling to hold the shot.
With four minutes to go the Dons made the game safe with a great goal. Scott Ferries chased his man back and made a great tackle on the edge of the Dons area. Nicky Low burst forward, as did his team mates. The ball was knocked across the field and then Ferries took it and put pace on the attack by bursting past his man. He headed for the by-line and then looked up and pulled it back for Alan O’Sullivan who had held his run and taken up a good unmarked position in the box. The Irish U19 International made no mistake and drilled the ball home.Ferries did really well to create the goal after being the player that made the original tackle.
Late on Campanile picked up a booking and McKenna was forced to make one more defensive clearance. Aberdeen | Rogers, Campanile, McKenna, Masson, Rose, Gibbons, Ferries, Storie, O’Sullivan, Shankland, Low
Unused Subs: Burns, McMahon, Kelly, Wright, Jones, Petrie
Rangers | Kelly, McAusland, Mills, Halkett, Gasparotto, Hutton, Aird, Dykes, Stoney, Telfer, Walsh
Subs: Smith, Gibson, Pascazio, Sinnamon, Ramsay, Gallacher RedTV | the goals please click here
RedTV | highlights to follow
RedTV | Neil Cooper post match interview please click here
RedImages |
